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How to Get to the Black Sand Beach in Vieques (Playa Negra)

  How to Get to the Black Sand Beach in Vieques, Puerto Rico (Playa Negra) If you’re looking for one of the most unique beaches in Puerto Rico, Playa Negra in Vieques belongs at the top of your list. This isn’t a “park-and-walk” kind of beach—but that’s exactly why it still feels wild and untouched.   When we decided to go, I had no idea how much of an adventure it would actually be. This isn’t the kind of beach where you pull into a paved lot, grab your towel, and walk 30 seconds to the water. It requires effort — and honestly, that’s what makes it unforgettable. The first glimpse of the black sand against the turquoise water stopped us in our tracks. It didn’t feel touristy. It felt earned. Below is the exact, step-by-step route we used to get there, plus tips so you don’t miss the trail (or ruin your shoes). Ready? Let’s go!  Step 1: Fly to San Juan, Puerto Rico Start by booking a flight into San Juan (SJU). This is the easiest jumping-off point for getting ...
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Best Travel Credit Cards for Families in 2025: Fly More, Stress Less

Traveling as a family isn’t cheap — but if you’re not using a travel rewards credit card, you’re probably leaving hundreds (or thousands) of dollars on the table.

I’m Sheila from SheMamaMaps, and as a mom who plans every trip down to the last snack bag, I’ve tested a lot of cards over the years. Whether you’re looking to save on flights, book free hotel nights, or just earn points on everyday purchases, these are my go-to credit cards for families in 2025.




✈️ What Makes a Travel Card Family-Friendly?

Before we dive in, here’s what I look for:

  • Big welcome bonuses (hello, free flights!)

  • Points for grocery stores, gas, and dining — places moms spend most

  • Flexible redemptions (not locked into one airline or hotel)

  • No foreign transaction fees for international travel

🔝 1. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card 

(THIS SHOULD BE YOUR FIRST CARD IF YOU ARE JUST STARTING OUT)

Best all-around card for family travelers

  • 60,000+ bonus points after meeting minimum spend

  • 2X points on dining, travel, and select streaming

  • Points transfer to partners like United, Southwest, Hyatt, and more

  • Annual fee: $95

đź’ˇ Why I love it: Points are super flexible. I’ve used mine for flights, cruises, and even theme park hotels.

đź“Ť Great for: Families new to travel hacking but ready to level up.

GET THE OFFER HERE 👇

Earn 100,000 bonus points with Sapphire Reserve® or 75,000 bonus points with Sapphire Preferred®. 

🏖️ 2. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

  • 75,000 bonus miles (that’s ~$750 in travel!)

  • 2X miles on every purchase

  • Use miles to erase any travel purchase — flights, hotels, Airbnb, Uber

  • Annual fee: $95

đź’ˇ Why I love it: No complicated points transfers. Just book, erase, done.

đź“Ť Great for: Busy parents who want a simple, flexible system.

GET THE OFFER HERE đź‘‡

Captial One Venture One


🍽️ 3. American Express® Gold Card

Best for grocery-store warriors and foodie families

  • 60,000 Membership Rewards® points

  • 4X points at supermarkets (up to $25K/year) + restaurants

  • Points transfer to airlines like Delta, JetBlue, Emirates

  • Annual fee: $250

đź’ˇ Why I love it: Between grocery runs and birthday dinners, this card racks up points fast.

đź“Ť Great for: Families who eat at home a lot and want luxury flight potential.

🌎 4. Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Best no-hassle starter card (pairs well with Sapphire)

  • 1.5% cashback on everything (can be turned into travel points if paired with Sapphire)

  • No annual fee

  • 3% on dining and drugstores

đź’ˇ Why I love it: This is the card I started with — no annual fee, no stress.

đź“Ť Great for: Beginners or those who want to ease into rewards.



đź’Ľ Bonus Tips for Moms Getting Started:

  1. Don’t open multiple cards at once — start with one you’ll actually use

  2. Track your minimum spend — you usually have 3 months to earn the bonus

  3. Always pay your balance in full — points aren’t worth credit card debt

  4. Look for cards with no foreign transaction fees if you travel internationally

  5. Pair cards strategically — e.g. Sapphire + Freedom = point powerhouse

🧭 My Personal Strategy

I use:

  • Chase Sapphire Preferred for most travel and dining

  • Freedom Unlimited for everyday spend

  • Amex Gold for groceries + dining
    These 3 alone have helped me cover flights to Japan, Costa Rica, and cruise excursions — all while just spending on things I already needed.

🧭 Want to Go Deeper?

✅ Grab my Beginner’s Guide to Traveling on Points  for step-by-step help 

✅ Download my Google Sheets Travel Points & Miles Tracking Spreedsheet

✅ Follow me on TikTok for real-time tips and hacks: @SheMamaMaps


✨ Final Thoughts

If you’re a parent, you’re already spending money every week on groceries, gas, and Target runs. Why not make those dollars work for your next family adventure?

Travel hacking isn’t about spending more — it’s about being intentional. And these credit cards are your first step toward flying farther, staying longer, and creating bigger memories with your family.



đź”— Related Posts:


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